Expansible otoscope



May 18, 1954 A. s. RAIMO EXPANSIBLE OTOSCOPE Filed Nov. 28, 1952 Fig.

lIII/IIIIIIIIIIaI Anthony 8. Raima INVENTOR.

Patented May 18, 1954 UNITED sures earcm OFFICE EXPANSIBLE OTOSCOPE Anthony S. Raimo, Flushing, N. Y. Application November 28, 1952, Serial No. 323,014

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in otoscopes and more particularly to an expansible ear piece for the instrument.

An important object of the invention is to construct the funnel shaped ear piece of the instrument with a longitudinally extending segment having a transverse shape corresponding to that of the ear piece and pivoted at its inner end thereto for expanding the ear canal into which the ear piece is inserted to enlarge the canal for more complete examination of the ear drum.

Another object is to provide a device of this character of simple and practical construction which is efiicient and reliable in operation, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purpose for which the same is intended.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view;

Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the ear piece;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the clip and actuating slide for expanding the ear piece;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on a line 4-4 of Figure 3; and,

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on a line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration, I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my inven tion, the numeral 5 designates an otoscope of a type commonly used by physicians for examination of the ears and including a funnel-shaped ear piece 5 for insertion in the ear.

The ear piece is formed with an open lower half which extends rearwardly from its narrow front end to a point 4 adjacent the rear end of the ear piece and a rigid longitudinal segment I of arcuate shape in cross-section to conform to the shape of the ear piece 6 is closely fitted flush in the open lower half of the ear piece and is provided with a pair of downwardly projecting spaced apart apertured ears 8 pivotally mounted on a pin 9 which is supported in a second pair of spaced apart apertured ears I!) molded or otherwise suitably carried by the ear piece. A coil spring II is mounted on the pin 9 and tensionally holds the segment I closed against the open lower half of the ear piece.

A hook I2 is attached to the segment i and to which one end of a flexible wire I3 is attached by means of a loop M, the wire being encased in a rubber sleeve or cover l5 and is attached at its other end to a slide l6 engaged in a slot 41 in a resilient clip i8 adapted for clamping to the casing of the otoscope.

With the clip is secured in position, as shown in Figure 1, the spring H holds the pivoted segment 1 in a closed position against the ear piece for insertion therewith in an ear canal. The slide l6 may then be moved downwardly in the clip l8 whereupon the wire i3 will swing the seg ment I away from the ear piece, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 1, into its open or expanded position to expand the ear canal.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In an otoscope including a handle part, a sectional ear piece including a stationary part and a longitudinally extending movable part pivoted at its inner end to the stationary part for swinging toward or away from the latter in an expanding movement of an ear canal in which the ear piece is inserted, and manipulating means for the movable part and slidably supported on the handle.

2. In an otoscope, a sectional ear piece including a stationary part and a longitudinally extending movable part pivoted at its inner end to the stationary part for swinging toward or away from the latter in an expanding movement of an ear canal in which the ear piece is inserted, spring means swinging the movable part into a contacting position, a clip carried by the otoscope, a slide on the clip, and means connecting the slide to said movable part to swing the latter in an expanding movement.

3. In an ctoscope, a sectional ear piece including a stationary part and a longitudinally extending movable part pivoted at its inner end to the stationary part for swinging toward or away from the latter in an expanding movement of an ear canal in which the ear piece is inserted, spring means swinging the movable part into a contacting position, a slide carried by the otoscope and a flexible member connecting the slide to the movable part to swing the latter in an expanding movement.

Country Date France Apr. 26, 1950 Number 

